koolz said:So how much does the plate cost? Thanks.
You can go to www.markins.com (I think) to check the official price, but I got mine off a clubsnapper for $35, I think. But some people have commented that Markins plates do not really conform to the Arca-Swiss (A-S) "standard" (which, incidentally, I've only seen oblique references to, but no actual scientific writeup, eg. on dimensions, tolerances, etc).
So far I'm happy with mine, have tried it on friends' ballheads with A-S QR clamps and they've locked on rock solid. I don't have a ballhead with A-S QR.
If you want one you may need to wait for an MO, people hardly ever sell these things in B&S. Or go to CP and pick up a Wimberley P-5, that looks pretty good, though a bit ex.
But we're drifting a bit off topic ... not that this thread need an upz, looks like the bus is full :bsmilie: